I was at an Oncology Blogger Summit last week and met a wonderful young lady who had just started a job with a cancer organization.
At the reception, advocate survivors were sitting around a table talking about our jobs and personal cancer stories. We talked about the people we loved and lost and talked about why we do what we do. Thats when she began to cry. Her emotions just bubbled to the surface and she couldn't seem to gain control of how she was feeling.
"You're so strong. How do you do what you do?" she asked us.
I'm not strong. I told her that it never gets easy. I cry too, only now i can wait until Im alone or in the shower.
We just find better ways to cope. We have strong passion, a mission and faith behind what we do. If we don't do what we do, things won't get better. Think of the success stories and all the lives that are made better. I told her.
She shook her head, wiped her tears and decided that this was her passion too! She was incredibly insightful and enthusiastic.
This work takes time. She was on step 1 of a marathon and I didn't think she was ready. With a mentor, she could do great things- but the calling has to be there. Was it?
I learned yesterday that she quit her job after just a month. She just couldn't handle the emotions that came with advocacy and supporting cancer patients. It's alot to handle for a 21 year old fresh out of college.
It was alot for me when I started and I was 29! For me, there was no choice. I had to help my dad. Because of cancer, caregiving and advocacy were bestowed on me. I didn't choose this job, but it became a calling.
I hope she finds whatever fits her calling in life.
At the reception, advocate survivors were sitting around a table talking about our jobs and personal cancer stories. We talked about the people we loved and lost and talked about why we do what we do. Thats when she began to cry. Her emotions just bubbled to the surface and she couldn't seem to gain control of how she was feeling.
"You're so strong. How do you do what you do?" she asked us.
I'm not strong. I told her that it never gets easy. I cry too, only now i can wait until Im alone or in the shower.
We just find better ways to cope. We have strong passion, a mission and faith behind what we do. If we don't do what we do, things won't get better. Think of the success stories and all the lives that are made better. I told her.
She shook her head, wiped her tears and decided that this was her passion too! She was incredibly insightful and enthusiastic.
This work takes time. She was on step 1 of a marathon and I didn't think she was ready. With a mentor, she could do great things- but the calling has to be there. Was it?
I learned yesterday that she quit her job after just a month. She just couldn't handle the emotions that came with advocacy and supporting cancer patients. It's alot to handle for a 21 year old fresh out of college.
It was alot for me when I started and I was 29! For me, there was no choice. I had to help my dad. Because of cancer, caregiving and advocacy were bestowed on me. I didn't choose this job, but it became a calling.
I hope she finds whatever fits her calling in life.
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